Middle School Effective Transitions
Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy • Middle School
Middle School Effective Transitions
Move with your cohort.
Walk on the green line.
Arrive ready to learn.
Encore Transition & Escort Expectations Included
Teacher Start-Up
Use this page during opening activities to teach middle school students how to read schedules, move with their cohort, walk the green line, and transition safely to and from Encore classes.
Teacher reminder: If a student needs another copy of their schedule, email the appropriate counselor or administrator to request delivery. Students should not be sent to the office for scheduling questions during this lesson.
Move with your cohort.
Walk on the green line.
Wait for the adult escort.
1. Teacher Script
We are excited to start the school year with you. Please take out your class schedule. Today, we are going to make sure you understand how the WSPA daily schedule works, how to read your schedule, where to find your classes, and how to transition safely with your cohort.
At WSPA, transitions are not free time. Transitions are supervised movements from one learning space to the next. Students move with their cohort, walk on the green line, keep their voices low, and follow staff directions the first time.
For Encore: Students remain seated until the Encore teacher or adult escort arrives. Students should not leave the classroom, lunchroom, or hallway area without adult supervision.
2. WSPA Middle School Schedule Basics
4 Blocks
The school follows a 4-period daily schedule.
90 Minutes
Each class is about 90 minutes long.
Classroom Transitions
Move with your cohort. Any other time, you must have a pass.
Bells Are for Teachers
Your teacher dismisses you. The bell is a reminder. Always follow staff directions.
30-Minute Lunch
Students follow lunch procedures and remain seated until dismissed or picked up.
Friday Advisory / Clubs
Friday has a different schedule because Advisory and Clubs occur first.
3. How to Read a Middle School Schedule
Students should ask the teacher or a classmate if they are unsure where a class is located. Complete the Schedule Concern Form A counselor will follow up as soon as possible.
Middle school pattern: English and Math meet every day. Science, Social Studies, and Encore rotate on A/B days.
6th Grade
- The first number shows grade level.
- The second number shows the class period.
- 99 means homeroom.
- A means A-day only.
- B means B-day only.
- Encore occurs during 4th block.
7th Grade
- The first number shows grade level.
- The second number shows the class period.
- 99 means homeroom.
- A means A-day only.
- B means B-day only.
- Encore occurs during 3rd block.
8th Grade
- The first number shows grade level.
- The second number shows the class period.
- 99 means homeroom.
- A means A-day only.
- B means B-day only.
- Encore occurs during 2nd block.
4. Middle School Cohort Transition Plan
Non-Negotiable Movement Expectations
Middle school students will transition with their cohorts. Students will be escorted to and from Encore by staff.
Green Line Expectation: Middle school students should always walk on the green line during transitions. The green line is the path. Stay with your cohort, keep moving, and follow staff directions.
Recordatorio: Los estudiantes de middle school harán las transiciones con sus grupos. El personal acompañará a los estudiantes hacia y desde Encore. Los estudiantes siempre deben caminar sobre la línea verde durante las transiciones.
| Transition | Who Moves First | Who Waits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st → 2nd Period Periodo 1 → 2 |
6th and 8th grade move first. | 7th grade waits until the halls are clear. |
| 2nd → 3rd Period Periodo 2 → 3 |
6th and 8th grade move first. | 7th grade waits until the halls are clear. |
| 3rd → 4th Period Periodo 3 → 4 |
6th and 7th grade transition first. | 8th grade moves once the halls are clear. |
Reminder
Follow staff directions. Move with your cohort. Walk on the green line. Have a signed pass when in the hallway without your cohort. Report directly to your destination.
Recordatorio
Siga las instrucciones del personal. Muévase con su grupo. Camine sobre la línea verde. Reporte directamente a clase.
5. Encore Escort Plan
Encore Transition
Students remain seated until the Encore teacher arrives. Classroom teachers do not release students into the hallway at the bell. Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
No middle school Encore group should move without adult supervision.
Monday–Thursday Escort Plan
8th Grade Encore — 2nd Block
Encore Time: 9:45–11:15
Transition Window: 9:40–9:45
Pick-Up
- 8th-grade students remain seated in their 1st-block classroom.
- 1st block teachers do not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- Encore teachers report to the 8th-grade hallway for release.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
- 3rd-floor Encore classes use stairwell B.
- Ground/1st-floor Encore classes use Stairwell C
Drop-Off: At 11:15, Encore teachers escort 8th-grade students to their 3rd-block classrooms.
7th Grade Encore — 3rd Block
Encore Time: 11:20–11:50 and 12:27–1:30
Lunch: 11:54–12:24
Pick-Up
- 7th-grade students remain seated in their 2nd-block classroom.
- 2nd block teachers do not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- If the Encore teacher is dropping off 8th grade, the 7th grade teacher keeps students seated until the Encore teacher arrives.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
Lunch Transition
- Encore teachers escort 7th-grade students to lunch at 11:50.
- After lunch, Encore teachers pick students back up from the cafeteria at 12:24/12:27.
- Students return to the same Encore class after lunch.
Drop-Off: At 1:30, Encore teachers escort 7th-grade students to 4th block.
6th Grade Encore — 4th Block
Encore Time: 1:35–3:05
Transition Window: 1:30–1:35
Pick-Up
- 6th-grade students remain seated in their 3rd-block classroom.
- 3rd block teachers do not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- Encore teachers pick up 6th-grade students after dropping off 7th-grade students.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
End-of-Day Dismissal
- Because Encore is the final class of the day, Encore teachers manage students through dismissal procedures.
- Students should not be released early into the hallways until their floor is called.
Friday Escort Plan
Friday times are different because Advisory/Clubs occur first.
8th Grade Friday Encore
Encore Time: 10:35–11:45
Lunch: After Encore
Pick-Up to Encore
- 8th-grade students remain seated in their classroom until the Encore teacher arrives.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
Lunchroom Pick-Up
- At the end of 8th-grade lunch, 8th-grade teachers will pick up their students from the lunchroom.
- Students should remain seated in the lunchroom until their teacher arrives.
- Students should not be released from the lunchroom without teacher supervision.
7th Grade Friday Encore
Encore Time: 12:25–1:40
Pick-Up
- 7th-grade students remain seated in their classroom until the Encore teacher arrives.
- The classroom teacher does not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
Drop-Off: At 1:40, Encore teachers escort 7th-grade students to 4th block.
6th Grade Friday Encore
Encore Time: 1:45–3:05
Pick-Up
- 6th-grade students remain seated in their classroom until the Encore teacher arrives.
- The classroom teacher does not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- Encore teachers pick up 6th-grade students after completing the 7th-grade drop-off.
- Once the Encore teacher arrives, the classroom teacher dismisses students to the Encore teacher.
- Encore teachers escort students to Encore.
End-of-Day Dismissal
- Encore teachers manage 6th-grade students through dismissal.
- Students should not be released early into the hallways.
- Encore teachers follow schoolwide dismissal procedures.
6. Handoff Rules for All Grades
Core Teacher Responsibilities
- Keep students seated until the Encore teacher arrives.
- Do not release students into the hallway at the bell.
- Dismiss students only when the Encore teacher is present.
- Keep students calm, seated, and ready for pickup.
- If the hallway is congested, continue holding students until movement is clear.
Encore Teacher Responsibilities
- Pick up students from the classroom or assigned handoff area whenever possible.
- Escort students in a line to Encore.
- Walk at the front or side of the line where students can be monitored.
- Drop students off with the next teacher, at lunch, or at dismissal.
- Do not send students ahead without adult supervision.
Lunchroom Pick-Up Responsibilities
- Students remain seated in the lunchroom until their teacher arrives.
- Teachers pick up students directly from the lunchroom when assigned.
- Lunchroom supervisors should not release students into the hallway without an adult escort.
- On Fridays, 8th-grade teachers pick up their students from the lunchroom.
7. Green Line + Phoenix Pride Practice
Green Line Chant
“Feet on the green. Move as a team.”
Use this quick call-and-response before students practice transitions.
8. Transition Video Activity
Watch the traffic intersection clip and connect it to hallway movement at WSPA.
- Describe the traffic in one word.
- What problems might happen in this type of traffic?
- How is a hallway like a street or highway?
- What would happen if WSPA transitions looked like the video?
- How does adult escorting during Encore help prevent hallway congestion?
9. What Effective Middle School Students Do
Do This
- Arrive at class on time.
- Walk on the green line.
- Move with your cohort.
- Remain seated until dismissed by the classroom teacher or lunchroom supervisor.
- Walk with your assigned class and adult escort.
- Stay to the right side of the hallway and stairs.
- Talk quietly and keep your voices low.
- Have a signed pass when alone.
- Respond to staff directions the first time.
- Enter class ready to learn.
Do Not Do This
- Leave class before the teacher dismisses you.
- Leave for Encore before the adult escort arrives.
- Hang out in the hallway.
- Walk friends to class.
- Use phones, earbuds, or headphones.
- Run, horseplay, or block the hall.
- Stop at bathrooms, lockers, water fountains, or other classrooms during transition.
- Walk in crowded groups away from the green line.
10. Quick Check
What do middle school students walk on?
During the 1st-to-2nd period transition, which grades move first?
When can students leave for Encore?
Who picks up 8th-grade students from lunch on Fridays?
Teacher Answer Key
- The green line.
- 6th and 8th grade move first.
- After the Encore teacher or adult escort arrives and the classroom teacher dismisses them.
- 8th-grade teachers.
Closing Message
Transitions are part of how we protect learning time and keep everyone safe. Move with purpose, follow staff directions, stay with your cohort, and report directly to class.
Encore reminder: Hold students until the adult escort arrives. Move as a group. Keep students supervised. No unsupervised Encore transitions.
Rooted in Excellence • Growing Toward Greatness
Move Safely. Learn Fully. Show Phoenix Pride.
Feet on the green. Move as a team.
